The Most Beautiful and Underrated Place in Kerala: Wayanad

Are you looking to explore the depths of India’s beauty, far off from its busy cities and tourist traps? Well, if so then Wayanand in Kerala is the perfect place for you! Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this stunningly beautiful rural district will make you forget your cares as soon as you arrive. Famed for its serene backwaters and lush forests, Wayanad is a land that time forgot but one which we are sure will leave lasting memories with each adventurer who visits. Read on to discover why Wayanand deserves to be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list! Our Bungalow at Misty Ghats Resort. The view from our room Where we stayed: Misty Ghats Resort A hidden gem in the lush, tranquil expanses of Wayanad, this resort provided an exceptional lodging experience. Our accommodation, a charming bungalow, was set amidst a verdant tropical garden, with a serene view that captivated us every morning. What made our stay truly amazing however, was our host’s hospitality.  He arranged tea for us twice a day and amazing traditional Kerala dinners every night!  This place is truly amazing for budget travellers, nature lovers, if you’re travelling alone or with your partner/friends.  Source: Royal Brothers Hire a scooter from Royal Brothers Auto to get around For us the best way to get around was by scooter, and the only place nearby to rent one is Royal Brothers Auto in Kalpetta. We got a decent deal and the scooter was in good condition. You can only book and pay online. Source: Walnut Cakes, Kalpetta Get a cappuccino and cookies from Walnut Cake Shop I don’t know about you but I need a good coffee in the morning, and I loved coming to this shop at the start of our daily adventures because the cappuccinos were good and we would stock up on cookies for snacks and energy on the road.  Our favourite activities: 1. Tea Plantation Tour Chellotte Orthodox Tea Plantation was such a nice tea plantation its been around since 1896 which is insane! and they were really friendly and showed us around the factory and the greenery. We bought a 1kg bag of tea for 250 rupees, and they gave us a sample and the taste was phenomenal. Just plain black tea no milk or anything.  Chelotte Tea Factory, Taken by Hardik Araniya 2. Go Ziplining Go on google maps and put longest zipline & sky cycle, Meppadi – Chooralmala Road , Vellarimala Kerala. It’s such a beautiful view and a really unique and memorable experience! You can go on your way to Soochipara Waterfall.  3. Soochipara Waterfalls Surrounded by montane and evergreen forests this place almost doesn’t feel real. We recommend going early to avoid the crowds. It was worth the long drive on the scooter and the hike to get to the waterfall. Standing before it gave me this indescribable feeling of awe and gratitude. I definitely recommend going here! Thanks for reading! Check out my social media to see more of my travel photography and tips 🙂

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The Ultimate Guide to Tinos Island, Greece

Discover the tranquil beauty of Tinos Island, an unspoiled gem in the Cyclades group in Greece. From its picturesque villages to pristine beaches, Tinos offers a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Our blog takes you on an immersive journey through this charming island, providing insider tips on the best beaches, stays and hidden spots. Best Beaches: Beach Agios Romanos It can be overwhelming trying to decide which beach to go to in Tinos because theres so many! Agios Romanos is one of my favourites because you can easily dive into the sea from rocks which is something greeks love to do 😉 if you’re adventurous that is! Otherwise you can sit on the sand enjoy the sun, the perfect water and a freddo cappuccino at the beach bar. Visit Agios Markos Church This is for my pebble beach lovers! Next to this beautiful little church there is a staircase that leads to a very sheltered pebble beach with emerald waters. Only 2km from Chora its a great place to stop for a swim.  Pachia Ammos Beach Pachia Ammos is a peaceful beach located 10km from the main town of Tinos. It has a very isolated and exotic feel  with beautiful dunes of fine gold sand. Best Villages: Explore Pyrgos Village My favourite village in Tinos, its very elevated so its quite windy, which is why there are many narrow little streets that were built to protect people from the winds. The village square is always bustling with life and amazing food! I made my friends walk from Panormou village up to here just for that galaktoboureko! You have to try this!! Galaktoboureko in Pyrgos village square Tinos. Check out Panormos Village Ormos Panormou is a small natural harbour on the eastern coast of Tinos island. Its a very beautiful small fishing village and is nice for a swim and walk. It can get quite windy up here.  Best Place to stay: The view from our airbnb in Tinos House of the Sun – Airbnb This airbnb was a super cosy and traditional island home, with tonnes of privacy. We had our own private beach, almost no neighbours and you felt like you had a whole little part of the island for yourself when you stayed here. The best part is its not too far from the port and nice restaurants are walkable distance! Our host George picked us up from the port and was very helpful and kind with anything we needed. I recommend you rent a car if you’re staying in Tinos in general as its a very big island. Other alternatives are local taxis and buses. 

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My list of absolute must visit islands in the Cyclades, Greece

Are you planning a trip to Greece and want to make the most of your time exploring the islands? The Cyclades are some of the most beloved islands in Greece, with postcard-perfect beaches and picturesque villages. Whether you are seeking vibrant nightlife or relaxation, you will find an island to suit your desires. In this post, we’ve rounded up the best islands to visit in the Cyclades. 1. Amorgos Monastery of Hozoviotissa in Amorgos, 2022. Taken by Artemis Anastasopoulos. ​​One of the most hidden gems of the Mediterranean, Amorgos’ unmatched natural beauty and beaches should be at the top of your bucket list. You must visit the shipwreck of Olympia, it is on a beach that has the clearest water I have ever seen in the Mediterranean. There is only one main road that goes through Amorgos and if you rent a scooter it is one of the most beautiful and scenic routes you will ever see. The rocky hills, the colours of the sea and the sky, the kindness of the locals and the tranquillity you find here are why this island has made it to be #1 on my list. Oh and of course my favourite movie Le Grand Blue was filmed here. 2. Santorini Sunset in Oia, 2023, Taken by Artemis Anastasopoulos Yes it is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, BUT the energy on this island is something out of this world. So it just had to be at the top of the bucket list. Santorini is perfect during June, September and October. The streets are less packed and you can take in the beauty of the volcano and the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Check out the black sand beaches, the sunset from Oia and explore the food and shops in Fira. 3. Naxos Sunset in Naxos, 2022. Taken by Artemis Anastasopoulos. Naxos has my heart. The food, the people and the activities make it a perfect island to choose for your next trip to Greece! You have to try Naxos potatoes.. they’re insanely good. I almost brought back the potatoes in my suitcase haha! This island has so many beautiful villages to explore, it has an ancient and magical energy unlike any other island in the cyclades. Its perfect for windsurfing, theres lots of cool beach bars to check out and nightlife. It has a perfect balance of peace and fun and thats why its #3 on my list.  4. Schinoussa Church in Chora of Schinoussa, 2019, Taken by Artemis Anastasopoulos One of the smallest and lesser known islands in the cyclades, Schinoussa is a small drop of paradise in the Mediterranean sea. Beautiful beaches and beautiful people, this island captures the essence of Greece perfectly. The church in the centre of the village is one of the most stunning I’ve seen.  I met so many people travelling here and had some of the best nights of my life. There is one bar on the island and its called Vrachos, there we spent all night drinking, laughing until the sun rose over the sea. 5. Donoussa Livadi Beach, Donoussa, 2022, Taken by Artemis Anastasopoulos Donoussa has some of the clearest waters in the cyclades and a lot more greenery than most islands. The main town (chora) is next to the port, there you’ll find lots of amazing cafes, restaurants and tavernas. I had the most amazing calamari, kolokithokeftedes, saganaki and other amazing greek dishes at the tavernas here. The water is perfect, and the locals are really welcoming and friendly. It is relatively untouched by mass tourism and is an awesome addition to your summer bucket list. You can get there from Naxos easily. You can walk around the island quite easily or you can rent a bicycle or scooter if you don’t want to rent a car. 6. Tinos Pyrgos Village, Tinos, 2019, Taken by Artemis Anastasopoulos Ah Tinos, Mykonos’ quiet sibling. I’ve been coming to this island since I was a kid and it had to make the list because of its famous galaktoboureko (greek pastry with custard), beautiful villages scattered across the island, and serene and isolated beaches. The best galaktoboureko is in the village of Pyrgos in the main square, find the shop thats been open for over 15 years, you’ll thank me later. 7. Koufonisia Main Port of Koufonisia, 2022, taken by Artemis Anastasopoulos A very artsy island where you can meet people from all around the world, Koufonisia is how Mykonos was in the 90s. It’s very romantic and beautiful.

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